County’s sudden sales-tax switch undermines trust and respect

The action by the Onslow County Board of Commissioners on Monday to suddenly change the distribution of sales tax proceeds within the county was a surprise to the Jacksonville City Council, the staff and me.

This is important for the citizens of Jacksonville to know, as the City Council will have to evaluate some of the programs and services that have helped to build this city into a welcoming environment where about 75 percent of all the sales tax in the county is collected.

These services that produced the planning, the water and sewer lines, the treatment facilities, and the excellent police and fire protection that we enjoy were all in part financed by a steady stream of shared sales-tax proceeds that recognized the investments that were producing the steadily increasing sales tax for the entire county.

Now, because of this near 11th-hour action of the county commissioners, without input or comment allowed from the city, the city will have to reconsider investments for future commercial enhancements — expenses that improve the quality of life for Jacksonville residents and support our community as a whole.

This is a blow to the residents of Jacksonville. In the fiscal eyes of the county, every resident of Jacksonville is worth about $134, whereas the 743 residents of North Topsail Beach are worth $1,371 each. Onslow County’s 293 Surf City residents are valued at $1,348 each by the county in this change. That seems really unfair.

I am proud that the city has sought to work with Onslow County on many issues and that the work has produced a better place to live for all of us.

But this action, the sudden decision to move out of downtown Jacksonville, the decision to vacate all the agreements concerning Burton Park and the manner that all these items were handled is producing both a challenge to the fiscal health of the city and to the trust between the boards.

The action of the commissioners to move out of downtown Jacksonville appears to have been a “done-deal” when the city learned of the plan. Staffers and others reminded the commissioners of the “gentleman’s agreement” made by the past board that lessened the city’s opposition to the expansion of the jail and produced the agreement that the county would continue the seat of government, with its leadership positions, in downtown. The plans were apparently worked out with little public awareness.

So, too, must have been the plans to change the sales-tax distribution. City staff had specifically asked the county staff the week before the action if a rumor was true that the issue was on the table. They were assured that no directive had been given to work on the issue. Yet on the Thursday before the meeting, a well-prepared evaluation of options finally was made public.

Page 2 of 2 - Efforts by the elected officials of the City of Jacksonville to contact their fellow county board members failed. No calls were returned.

Casual contact between these same officials gave no hint, no indication that a change was actually being considered. There were no courtesy calls, no discussions of the need to make the change, no conversation that would help explain this and prepare the two boards to continue relations that are beneficial to all.

Instead, indicating that city employees are overpaid, the action to change the distribution system was quick, without significant deliberation and approved on a three-to-two vote. We thank Commissioner Jack Bright who reminded the board of the impact this same action produced in 2007 when the city was faced with a 9.4 cent tax increase to make up the sudden difference. The county had decided at that time to abandon a long-standing agreement with the city and instead base the system on property values alone, benefiting significantly North Topsail Beach.

We thank Lionell Midgett, who was a father of the system that had been used up until Monday. This system blends population and property values to create a system that has been a good compromise.

The city and county need to work together; but this cannot happen without communication. This cannot happen without some trust. This cannot happen without some respect for each other.

There is no doubt that the city has played a larger role in the advancement of economic development, superior relations with the military and has helped advance the quality of life for Onslow County.

Relations will be strained, some work in progress will be evaluated and it will take personal fortitude to carry on with those who have treated our citizens as they have.

Our deliberations are open; our sessions are televised and streamed to the web. The public is welcome to see the actions of their elected city representatives in person or otherwise.

I’m proud of the City of Jacksonville, of our City Council and of the staff that serves our citizens. I know that the cuts to reduce the proposed budget by $1.8 million will be carefully considered. I know that the City Council will respect every person who works for the city. I know that the service to the citizens will be at the top of the list in deciding what cuts are made and I know that none of these actions will be made lightly.

I hope relations can improve. I hope for a return of respect. But it must begin with communication and a mutual goal of serving our citizens.